(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure that
county employees are not subjected to political or partisan coercion while
performing their job duties, to ensure that employees are not restricted from
political activities while off duty, and to ensure that public funds are not
used for political or partisan activities.

It is not the purpose of this section to allow infringement upon the
rights of employees to engage in free speech and free association. Every
county employee has a civic responsibility to support good government by every
available means and in every appropriate manner. Employees shall not be
restricted from affiliating with civic organizations of a partisan or political
nature, nor shall employees, while off duty, be restricted from attending
political meetings, or advocating and supporting the principles or policies of
civic or political organizations, or supporting partisan or nonpartisan
candidates of their choice in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the
State and the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.

(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

(1) "County employee" or "employee" means
any person employed by a county or any department or program thereof that is
supported, in whole or in part, by county funds;

(2) "On duty" means that time period when an employee
is engaged in the duties of his or her employment; and

(3) "Workplace" means any place where an employee
engages in his or her job duties.

(c) No employee while on duty or in the workplace may:

(1) Use his or her official authority or influence for the
purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or
nomination for political office; or

(2) Coerce, solicit, or compel contributions for political or
partisan purposes by another employee.

(d) No employee may be required as a duty or condition of
employment, promotion, or tenure of office to contribute funds for political or
partisan purposes.

(e) No employee may use county funds, supplies, or equipment for
partisan purposes, or for political purposes except where such political uses
are otherwise permitted by law.

(f) To the extent that this section conflicts with the
provisions of any local act, local ordinance, resolution, or policy, this
section prevails to the extent of the conflict. (1991, c. 619, s. 1; 1993, c. 298, s. 1.)